So the Kings say there were 4,500 fans at Saturday's open practice at Arco Arena, which means only one thing.
There were 12,817 locals who missed out.
Nights like these won't come along too often this season in this setting, with the energy all positive and the outcome irrelevant and the basketball entertaining from beginning to end. Jon Brockman had a mini-coming out party. Tyreke Evans looked like an NBA stud. Kevin Martin looked like a healthy Kevin Martin - ditto for Desmond Mason. Sean May hit from outside and was a glue guy on both ends. Beno Udrih reminded those in attendance that he is a talented, if complicated, fellow. Kenny Thomas looked hungry, nearly diving over press row at one point to go for a loose ball and sparking a standing ovation from those who were there. Coach Paul Westphal continued to be ever-so-gracious with the fans.
Ubiquitous Kings PR man Chris Clark has a worthy recap of the action here, and I've included the Kings' live-streaming video at the bottom of this post. As for my own contributions, I was writing this piece on the team's attempts to re-grow its fanbase before deciding to catch up with Kings co-owner Joe Maloof courtside. It was little more than a friendly chat, but you can get a sense of the good time that was had by all. More importantly, Brockman's new nickname is revealed by Maloof as well.
The practice, in its entirety...
- Sam Amick








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